Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus



, April 25, 19 67 P. D. SCHWIEBERT ETAL RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADINGTIE-DOWN APPARATUS Filed May 19; 1965 mtg s.

United States Patent 3,315,617 RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADING TIE-DOWNAPPARATUS Phillip D. Schwiebert, Glencoe, and Joseph Kuchar, Chicago,11]., assignors to MacLean-Fogg Lock Nut Co., Mundelein, 111., acorporation of Delaware Filed May 19, 1965, Ser. No. 456,912 15 Claims.(Cl. 105369) This invention relates to retractable winch-type ladingtie-down apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus whichextends the prior concepts of flush deck winch and channel anchorsystems to include more versatile and effective multidirectional chainand steel strapping anchoring methods.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an anchor devicemovable linearly to a selected position along a railway flat car or thelike, which anchor device is retractable to flush relationship with thefloor of the car and embodies a winch on the top thereof which isadapted to swivel through a full circular are for smooth nonbinding loadsecurement in any direction from the selected position of the anchordevice.

Another object of this invention is to provide an anchor device which ismovable to selected positions along a railway car or the like andincorporates a winch adapted to swivel in a horizontal plane forchain-type load securement, and which swivela-ble Winch also embodies alading strap anchor for added versatility in load anchoring ability.

This invention has for another object the provision of swivelableWinch-type tie-down apparatus in which an anchor device is slidablelongitudinally along a channeltype retaining structure for selecting adesired anchor position when the anchor device is either fully retractedinto the channel and slidable on the bottom thereof or when the anchordevice is only partially retracted into the channel and the winch isswive'led to an angular position in which the bottom surface of thewinch is slidable along the top surfaces of the channel.

As another object, our invention com-prehends retractable winch-typelading tie-down apparatus mountable to extend along opposite sideregions of railway car floors and wherein the parts thereof areconstructed for use and operation on either side of a car and thenecessity for left and right hand parts and assemblies is avoided.

Our invention further has within its purview the provision ofretractable winch-type lading tie down apparatus in which an anchordevice is movable along a channel to a selected position of use at whichit is locked relative to the channels by means including cam actuatedslide bars.

It is another object of this invention to provide winchtyipe ladingtie-down apparatus in which a chain is used as the lading tie elementand in which the Winch drum embodies an effective retaining element forthe end of the chain and the drum is externally shaped to suit theconfiguration of the chain links that are wound thereagainst when thechain is tightened.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction With the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view depicting a typical application of ourretractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus to one generallyconventional type of railway flat car;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary e'nd sectional view of approximately one-halfof the railway flat car installation illustrated in FIGURE 1, whereinthe section is taken substantially as indicated by a line 2-2 andaccompanying arrows in FIGURE 1, it being understood that theinstallation on the other half of the car is similar with the parts ininverse relationship;

FIGURE 3 is 'a fragmentary top plan view drawn to a larger scale thanFIGURE 1 and showing a preferred embodiment of an anchor device utilizedin the disclosed invention, the anchor device being shown in a retractedposition relative to its guide channel, like those shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a top sectional view showing the base of the anchor deviceillustrated in FIGURE 3 when the base of the 'anchor device is in anelevated and locked position relative to its guide channel, the sectionbeing taken substantially as illustrated by a broken line 44 andaccompanying arrows in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary side sectional view of the anchor device shownin FIGURE 2 with parts of the anchor device broken away to illustratesome details of internal structure;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary side sectional 'view of the structure shown inFIGURE 4, wherein the anchor de vice is in a raised position relative toits guide channel and the winch thereof is turned ninety degrees fromthe position illustrated in FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary end sectional view of the structure shown inFIGURE 6, wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated byline 77 and accompanying arrows in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 7, drawn to a somewhat smallerscale, and wherein a locking mechanism on the anchor device isretracted, whereupon the anchor device is slidable along the top of theguide channel with end surfaces of the winch resting against topsurfaces of the channel;

FIGURE 9 is another fragmentary side sectional view, wherein the sectionis taken substantially as indicated by a line 99 and accompanying arrowsin FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmentary illustrative side view which illustrates theadaptation of the winch-type lading tie-down apparatus of thisapplication to the anchoring of a load, such as farm equipment on arailway flat car; and

FIGURE 11 is a sectional view, drawn to a larger scale than FIGURE 10,and wherein the section is taken substantially as indicated by a line11-11 in FIGURE 10 and in the direction indicated by accompanyingarrows.

Having reference to the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment ofour retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus is shown in FIGURESl and 2 in an exemplary adaptation to use on a railway flat car forillustrative purposes. Considered generally, the retractable winch-typelading tie-down apparatus includes a plurality of guide channels 15, 16,.17 and 18 which are mounted on, and extend longitudinally of theunderframe structure of a railway flat car \19, and in which guidechannels anchor devices 20 are movable longitudinally of theirrespective channels and secura-ble in selected positions relativethereto. The guide channels 15 and 18 extend along the outer sidemargins of the flat car floor, while the guide channels 16 and 17 are inspaced relationship to one another on opposite sides of the longitudinalcenter line of the car and are spaced inwardly fromthe guide channels 15and 18. With this arrangement of the guide channels 15, 16, 17 and 18 inthe car floor and with the plurality of anchor devices movablelongitudinally in each guide channel, the positions of the anchordevices may be readily selected to suit the loading of lading and itsdisposition on the car floor to afford effective and eflicient anchorageof the lading to the anchor devices.

In the exemplary flat car structure which is shown in FIGURES l and 2for illustrative purposes, the underframe structure of the car includesside sills 22 which extend longitudinally of opposite sides of the car,longitudinal stringers 23, a bolster 24 and laterally extending crossbearers 25. The cross bearers serve as lateral ties and supports whichare secured to and extend between the car side sills 22 and are alsosecured to the longitudinal stringers 23, as well as to the bolsters 24.The side sills 22 of the car include angles 26 and 27 at the topthereof. On the opposite sides of the car, the guide channels and 18 aremounted upon and secured to the outwardly protecting top surfaces of theangles 26, as shown in respect to the guide channel '18 in FIGURE 2.Since the installations of the guide channels are similar andsymmetrical on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of theflat car 19 the dispositions of those parts on one side of the car willbe described in reference to FIG- URE 2. At spaced positionslongitudinally of the car, braces 28 have angularly disposed portionsand extend upwardly and outwardly from the side sill 22 to the outersurface of the guide channel 18 with opposite end portions 29 and 30secured to the side si'll 22 and the outer surface of the guide channel18 respectively. Also, at spaced positions longitudinally of the carside sil1,'stake pockets 32 are secured to the side sill 22 below thetop surface of the angle 26 and project outwardly from the side sill forthe accommodation and support of stakes for use in the hauling ofcertain types of lading. At a position vertically aligned with eachstake pocket, an inner portion 33 of the channel 18 is cut away, so thatthe channel does not interfere with the insertion of stakes into thepockets.

Flooring stringers 34, 35, 36 and 37 extend longitudinally of the car atspaced positions laterally of the underframe and are secured to theunderframe to provide supports upon which floor boards 38 and 39 arelaid laterally of the car. The floor boards 38 extend betwen the guidechannels 17 and 18, while the floor boards 39 extend between the innerguide channels 16 and 17. In some instances, metal filler strips such as40, 42 and 43 extend along the outer surfaces of the guide channels 17and 18 against which the ends of the floor boards abut. As shown inFIGURE 5, the level of the tops of the floor boards is above or at leastflush with the tops of the guide channels, as shown in FIGURE 2, so thatwhen the anchor devices 20 are retracted into their respective guidechannels, they do not interfere with the movement of lading across thecar floor surface.

Having more general reference to the various figures 'of the drawings,the guide channels 15, 16, 17 and 18 are each integrally formed with abottom web 44 adjoining upwardly extending sides 45 and 46. At the topsof the sides, integral flanges 47 and 48 extend inwardly of the channeltoward one another and are in spaced and opposed relationship. Atuniformly spaced positions longitudinally of the flanges 47 and 48, asshown in FIGURES 3, 4 and 7, notches 49 and 50 are provided in theflanges 47 and 48 respectively, which'notches open inwardly of thechannel flanges.

Each anchor device 20 has a base 52 which is desirably a casting havingan upper portion 53 and a lower portion 54. The upper portion 53 of thebase has a width such that it is freely movable relative to the channelbetween the opposed inner edges of the flanges 47 and 48. The lowerportion 54 of the base is wider than the upper portion and projectslaterally on both sides of the upper portion and has surfaces underlyingthe flanges 47 and 48. The width of the lower portion '54 of the base issomewhat less than the inner widths of the channels 15, 16, 17 and 18,so that the anchor devices are freely movable longitudinally of thechannels, unless raised relative to the channels and locked in a fixedposition. For efiecting retention of the anchor devices longitudinallyof the channels, teeth 55 and 56 are made integrally with opposite sidesof the base to project upwardly from the lower portion 54 and outwardlyfrom the upper portion 53 on opposite sides of the base. These teeth 55and 56 are each of a size, and are spaced relative to one another to fitinto the notches 49 and 50 when 4 the base is lifted to a raisedposition relative to the channel.

For retaining the base in a raised position with the teeth 55 and 56engaged in notches 49 and 50 of the chamnel flanges 47 and 48, pairs ofslide bars 57 and 58 are mounted in slots 59 and 60 at opposite ends ofthe upper portion 53 of the base 52. The slide bars 57 and 58 areslidable in their respective slots to move laterally of the 7 basebetween retracted positions in which they are flush with the sides ofthe upper portion 53, as shown in FIG- URES 3 and 8, and extendedpositions, shown in FIG- URES 4 and 7, in which they project laterallyof the base and overlie the tops of the flanges 47 and 48, thereby tosupport the base of the anchor device relative to the channel.

Actuation of the slide bars 57' and 58 between their retracted andextended positions is effected by upward swinging movement of anactuating lever 62 through substantially 180 degrees between thepositions shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, integral lugs 63 and 64 beingprovided on opposite sides of the ends of the base to stop the movementsof the actuating lever in either direction. Each actuating lever 62 issecured to one end of a shaft 65 by a cross pin 66, the shaft andactuating lever being journaled in the mid-region of the end of the base52 for rotational movement. Cams 67 and 68 are secured to the shaft 65in spaced relationship axially of the shaft and in positions alignedwith slots 69 and 70 in the slide :bars 57 and 58 respectively. The cams67 and 68 are eccentric, as shown in FIGURE 7 and are oppositelydisposed with respect to the axis of the shaft, so that their positionsreverse upon actuation of the lever 62 from one of its positions to theother. Pins 72 and 73 are secured to the slide bar 58 in spacedrelationship to one another and extend downwardly therefrom to positionsof engagement with opposite sides of the cam 68, whereupon, when the camis turned by the actuation of lever 62, the pins act as cam followersand move the slide bar 58 between its extended and retracted positions.The other cam 67 engages the slide bar 57 directly at the opposite endsof the slot 69, so that the movements of the cam effected by swingingthe actuating lever move the slide bar 57 between its retracted andextended positions. Both slide bars move to their extended positionswhen the actuating lever is turned to one side, while moving to theirretracted positions when the actuating lever is swung to its oppositeposition.

Each anchor device has a winch 74 mounted on the upper surface of thebase for full rotational movement.

relative to the base. structurally the winch 74 has a base casting 75which includes upwardly extending side walls 76 and' 77 in spaced andopposed relationship to one another and a bottom boss 78 which extendsdownwardly to provide a circular outer bearing surface 79 which isjournaled in a bearing opening 80 in the longitudinal and lateralmid-regions of the base 52. A shoulder 82 at the upper end of the outerbearing surface 79 on the boss 78 serves to support the winch relativeto the base. A ring 83 fits onto a lower end portion of the boss 78 andis welded thereto, as at 84 to secure the winch 74 in place on the basefor rotational movement relative thereto. Desirably, the ring 83 isdisposed in a recess 85 in the lower portion 54 of the base, so that thelower surface of the ring is substantially flush with the lower surfaceof the base. i

The width of the winch 74 is comparable to that of the upper portion 53of the base, so that when the winch extends longitudinally of the base,it is free to pass between the inner edges of the flanges 47 and 48 ofthe channel, whereupon the winch can be retracted to a position withinthe confines of the channel. In the present instance, the channel sides,have a height which at least equals the height of the winch in itsmounted position on the base of the anchor device, as shown in FIGURES 2and 5. As shown in'FIGURE 5, the winch casting 75 has portions 86 and 87at its opposite ends which extend longitudinally between the side walls76 and 77 to provide shoulders 88 and 89 which rest against surfaces 90and 92 respectively on the base 52 when the winch extends longitudinallyof the base. These shoulders 88 and 89 extend apart a distance greaterthan the width of the winch and the width of the upper portion of thebase, so that when the winch is turned to extend transversely of thebase, as shown in FIGURE 8, and when the slide 'bars 57 and 58 areretracted, so that the base may drop away from the flanges 47 and 48,the shoulders 88 and 89 engage the upper surfaces of the flanges toretain the anchor device in a raised position in which it is slidablelongitudinally of the channel. This raised position in which the anchordevice is movable longitudinally of the channels while the winch isturned to extend laterally of the base often affords convenience inmaking final adjustments in the position at which the anchor device isto be secured relative to the channel and with respect to a particularpiece of lading which is to be anchored.

At one end of the winch, upper portions of the side Walls 76 and 77 areextended to provide projecting end portions 93 and 94. A bar 95 extendslaterally of the winch between the end portions 93 and 94 of the sidewalls and is secured to those side walls to serve both as a handle forgripping the anchor device to raise it relative to the channel and toprovide a suitable lading strap anchor which may be subjected to usewhen lading ties of the strap type are utilized for anchoring aparticular piece of lading.

In addition, the winch includes a winding drum supported for rotatonrelative to the mid-regions of the side wall 76 and 77 by shaft portions97 and 98 which may desirably be integral with the winding drum. Atopposite sides of the mid-region of the winding drum 96, ratchets 99 and100 are provide, which ratchets are non-rotatable with respect to thewinch drum and may be made integrally therewith. As shown in FIGURE 5, apawl 102 is mounted for swinging movement relative to a cross shaft 103which extends between the side walls 76 and 77 of the winch casting inspaced relationship to the bar 95. Extending end portions 104 and 105 onopposite sides of the pawl 102 are forcedby gravity to engage with teethof the ratchets 99.and 100 to prevent rotation of the winch drum in aclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURE 5, while permitting rotation ofthe drum in the opposite direction. V

As shown in FIGURES 3, 6 and 9, the winding drum 96 is disposed betweenthe ratchets 99 and 100 and has external contours adapting it to conformgenerally to the surfaces of chain links which are alternately disposedin 'lateral relationship relative to one another to effect this result,and recesses such as 106, 107 and 108 are provided on the periphery ofthe drum, which recesses extend in directions lateral to the axis of thedrum. For anchoring a first link 109 of a chain 110 to the winding drum96, slot 112 extends through the mid-region of the drum from the recess107. This slot receives the first link 109, and a pin 113 fits into abore 114 in the winding drum, which bore extends transversely of theslot 112, so that the pin passes through the link 109 when it isdisposed within the 'slot 112, thereby securely to anchor the chain onthe winding drum. The second and following links wind around the drum insuccession, as illustrated in FIGURE 9. As shown in FIGURES 9 and thedisclosed anchor device and its winch drum, ratchet and pawl mechanismare consrtucted and arranged so that the portion of the chain whichextends to the load which is anchored thereby extends outwardly frombeneath the winding drum. With this disposition of parts, the leverageexerted :upon the winch and other parts-of the anchor device isminimized, and is very appreciably lower than it would be if the chainwere wound on the drum from the top thereof, so that it 'would extendacross the top of the drum and then be wound thereupon.

The shaft portions 97 and 98 of the winding drum are rotatably supportedin bearings 115 and 116 respectively in the side walls 76 and 77 of thewinch structure. Sockets 117, as shown in FIGURE 5, are provided inopposite ends of the shaft portions 97 and 98 to receive a crank orsuitable tool for effecting the manual application of force to thewinding drum for tightening the chain in anchoring a load in place. Inorder to facilitate the placement of the winding drum relative to theside walls 76 and 77 of the winch structure, the side wall 77 isinitially cut away to provide an opening 118 having a bottom surface 119coinciding with the center line of bearing 116. The opening 118 furtherhas lower end surfaces 120 and 122 extending upward-1y from the surface119 in spaced relationship to opposite sides of the bearing 116. Upperside surfaces 123 and 124 extend into the side wall 77 from the topthereof and are spaced more closely together than the lower surfaces 120and 122, but are more widely separated than the diameter of the bearing116. Shoulders 125 and 126 connect the upper ends of the surfaces 120and 122 to the lower ends 'of the surfaces 123 and 124 respectively. Ablock 127 fits snugly into the opening 118 and conforms to theconfiguration thereof, in addition to providing the upper half of thebearing 116. This block is put into the opening 118 after the windingdrum is in place, and is secured therein by welding along the adjacentsurfaces of the block and the side wall of the winch structure. A drainhole 128 is provided in the bottom boss 78 of the winch.

In anchoring -a load, such as a tractor on a flat car, the chain extendsto and around a convenient anchoring portion for the load, such as anaxle housing 129 as shown in FIGURE 10. Initially, and with the chainunwound from the winding drum, the chain is put around the axle housingor other part of the load and after being pulled as taut as possible,the end of the chain is connected back to the chain itself by means suchas a hook 130. For further tightening, the 'winch and its winding drumare utilized. For absorbing shocks encountered in use, a shock-absorbingdevice 132 is desirably connected in series with the mid-portion of thechain 110. I

In the form disclosed herein, the shock-absorbing device 132 comprises acup-type housing 133 having a base 134 and a side wall 135, as shown inFIGURES 10 and 11. A U-bolt 136 has side portions 137 and 138 whichextend through the base 134 of the housing 133 and are secured in placeby fastening means such as nuts 139. At the end of the housing oppositethe base 134, the U-bolt extends beyond the sidewall of the housing andis connected to'the chain 110.' An elastomeric body 140 of compressiblematerial, such as relatively hard by flexible rubber, somewhat smallerthan the internal dimensions of the housing 133 has longitudinal slots142 and 143 extending along opposite sides thereof which fit around theside portions 137 'and 138 of the U-bolt 136. One

end of the elastomeric body 140 engages the inner surface of base 134 ofthe housing, while the other end region thereof projects from the otherend of the housing. An I-bolt 144 extends through-a longitudinal centralopening 145 in the elastomeric body 140 and has a nut 146 thereon whichengages a plate 147, which plate is slidable along the side portions 137and 138 of the U-bolt and engages the end of the elastomeric body whichprojects from the housing 132. A chain 148 is connected to the I-bolt144 and extends to the load which is anchored. With this arrangement ofparts, tension in the chains 110 and 148 applies compressive force tothe opposite ends of the elastomeric body 140, and variations of suchforces applied through the chain and the elastomeric body are absorbedin the elastomeric body to relieve shocks.

When a lading strap 149 is utilized in connection with the anchoring ofany desired load, it is connected to the bar 95 of the winch structure,as shown in FIGURE 9.

When the chain for any anchor device is not in use it is stored in thechannel which carries its anchor device,

to accommodate different loads and load anchoring positions, can beretracted to positions below the floor level when not in use. The anchordevices are movable along their respective channels to desired positionswhile retracted, and also while only partially retracted when the winchis above the channel flange level and turned laterally of the base. Inaddition, the anchor devices can each be locked at preselected positionsalong their respective channels by readily operable locking deviceswhich support the anchor devices in their locked positions.

It is understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrativeof a preferred embodiment of the invent-ion and that the scope of theinvention therefore is not to be limited thereto but is to be determinedby the appended claims.

We claim:

1. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus comprising, incombination, a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom weband having flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides inspaced and opposed relationship to one another, said flanges havingnotches therein spaced longitudinally of the channel, an anchor deviceincluding a base and a winch and means supporting the winch on the topof the base for rotational movement relative thereto, said base beingwider than the space between said flanges on the channel and movablelongitudinally of the channel between the sides thereof, said base alsohaving teeth thereon and projecting therefrom for engagement in saidnotches in the flanges of the channel for holding the anchor device in afixed position along the channel, means on the base for engagement witha portion of the channel for releasably retaining 'the base in positionlaterally of the channel when said teeth are engaged in said notches,said winch being narrower and longer than the space between said channeland of a height to rest within the height of the channel when the baseis seated on the channel web and the said base and winch arelongitudinally aligned, and said winch.ineluding a drum supported forrotation about an axis extending across the winch.

2. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim1, and wherein said winch has bottom surface portions at opposite endsthereof adapted to rest against the tops of said flanges on the channeland support the anchor device relative to the channel when the winch isturned laterally of the base and channel and when said means forreleasable retaining the base in position laterally of the channel isreleased and said teeth are disengaged from said notches.

3. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim1, and wherein said winch has a lading strap anchor at one end thereof.

4. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim1, and wherein said means on the as defined in claim 1, and wherein saiddrum of the winch has outer surface contours which conform generally tothe shapes of angularly disposed links of a chain as the chain is woundaround the drum.

6. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim1, and wherein said winch embodies a ratchet and a coacting pawl fornormally preventing rotation of said drum in a direction for loosening alading tie, and the normal movement of the winch drum for tightening thelading tie brings said tie to the winch drum below the axis of the drumfrom whence it is brought up and around the drum in winding.

7. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as 'defined in claim1, and wherein said means for supporting the winch on the top of thebase for rotational movement includes a circular bearing bore in themid-region of the base, coacting shoulders on the bottom of the winchand top of the base, and means secured to the winch for retaining thewinch on the base while providing for rotation of the winch relative tothe base.

8. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus comprising, incombination, a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom weband having flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides inspacedand opposed relationship to one another, an anchor deviceincluding a base and a winch and means supporting the winch on the topof the base for rotational movement relative thereto, said base beingwider than the space be tween said opposed flanges on the'channel andmovable longitudinally of the channel between the sides thereof flanges,said base and channel having coacting means thereon for retaining thebase in fixed positions longitudinally of the channel when engaged bylifting the base to a raised position in the channel, and meansslida-ble laterally relative to the base between retracted positionswithin the base and extended positions in which they a rest on the topsof the channels for holding the base in said raised position.

9. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as I defined inclaim 8, and further characterized by cam base for engagement with aportion of the channel for flanges and a retracted position within theside edges of the base, and cam means actuating each pair of slide bars.

5. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus means for effectingactuation of said means slidable laterally relative to the base betweensaid retracted and extended positions.

10. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim8, and wherein said winch is'narrower than the space between saidopposed flanges on the channel, and the sides of the channel are as highas the projection of the winch above the base, whereby thebaseand winchare retractable into the channel. 7 7 11. Retractable winch-type ladingtie-down apparatus as defined in claim 8, and wherein said winch has'surfaces on its opposite ends which are spaced and disposed to rest onthe tops of said sides of the channel to support the base in a retractedposition when the winch is turned laterally of the channel.

12. Retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined in claim8, and wherein said winch has a lading' strap anchor at one end thereof.

13. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus, thecombination. comprising a guide track.

having opposed sides from which top flanges project toward one anotherin opposed relationship with space therebetween, a winch having opposedand spaced side i i V wall portions movable freely along said spacebetween. the flanges and extending upwardly from a base, a circularbearing boss projecting downwardly from the base and integrally formedthereon, a winch drum supported for rotation by and between themid-regions of said side 7 wall portions, a rachet on said winding drum,a pawl movably mounted on one of said side wall portions and coactingwith said ratchet for holding the winding drum in successive postions asa lading tie is wound thereon from one end of the winch, a bearingshoulder encompassing the upper end of said bearing boss, meansmovablein said guide track below said flanges andengaged by said saidbearing boss and bearing shoulder for providing an element within thechannel relative to which the Winch is rotatable about the axis of saidbearing boss, and additional shoulders at opposite ends of the winch andspaced above said bearing shoulder for engagement with the tops of saidflanges to support said winch relative thereto when the winch isdisposed laterally of the guide track.

14. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus as defined inclaim 13, said side wall portions having longitudinal extensions on theends thereof opposite the said one from which a lading tie is wound onthe drum, and means secured to and extending between said extensions forproviding a ladin strap anchor.

15. In retractable winch-type lading tie-down apparatus, the combinationcomprising a channel having opposed sides connected by a bottom Web andhaving flanges extending inwardly from the tops of the sides in spacedand opposed relationship to one another, an anchor device including abase having an upper portion freely movable longitudinally of saidchannel between said flanges and a lower portion wider than the spacebetween said flanges and freely movable longitudinally of the channelbetween the sides thereof, means on said flanges of the channel andmeans on said base engageable when the base is in a raised positionrelative to the channel for preventing movements of the baselongitudinally of the channel, and pairs of slide bar mounted in eachend of said upper portion of the base for linear movements in directionslateral to the channel between retracted positions with-in the upperportion of the base and extended positions in which projecting portionsof the slide bars overlie the tops of the channel sides to hold the basein said raised position relative to the channel, each of said pairs ofslide bars being actuated between said retracted and extended positionsby cam means having a manually operative element at one end of the base.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,092,368 6/1963McDowell et al 254l64 3,140,850 7/1964 Packard 248-361 3,181,886 5/1965Blunden et a1. 280l79 ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner. DRAYTON E.HOFFMAN, Examiner.

1. RETRACTABLE WINCH-TYPE LADING TIE-DOWN APPARATUS COMPRISING, INCOMBINATION, A CHANNEL HAVING OPPOSED SIDES CONNECTED BY A BOTTOM WEBAND HAVING FLANGES EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM THE TOPS OF THE SIDES INSPACED AND OPPOSED RELATIONSHIP TO ONE ANOTHER, SAID FLANGES HAVINGNOTCHES THEREIN SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE CHANNEL, AN ANCHOR DEVICEINCLUDING A BASE AND A WINCH AND MEANS SUPPORTING THE WINCH ON THE TOPOF THE BASE FOR ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT RELATIVE THERETO, SAID BASE BEINGWIDER THAN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID FLANGES ON THE CHANNEL AND MOVABLELONGITUDINALLY OF THE CHANNEL BETWEEN THE SIDES THEREOF, SAID BASE ALSOHAVING TEETH THEREON AND PROJECTING THEREFROM FOR ENGAGEMENT IN SAIDNOTCHES IN THE FLANGES OF THE CHANNEL FOR HOLDING THE ANCHOR DEVICE IN AFIXED POSITION ALONG THE CHANNEL, MEANS ON THE BASE FOR ENGAGEMENT WITHA PORTION OF THE CHANNEL FOR RELEASABLY RETAINING THE BASE IN POSITIONLATERALLY OF THE CHANNEL WHEN SAID TEETH ARE ENGAGED IN SAID NOTCHES,SAID WINCH BEING NARROWER AND LONGER THAN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID CHANNELAND OF A HEIGHT TO REST WITHIN THE HEIGHT OF THE CHANNEL WHEN THE BASEIS SEATED ON THE CHANNEL WEB AND THE SAID BASE AND WINCH ARELONGITUDINALLY ALIGNED, AND SAID WINCH INCLUDING A DRUM SUPPORTED FORROTATION ABOUT AN AXIS EXTENDING ACROSS THE WINCH.